Abraham Roberts Verdict

On January 16, 2018, a Polk County jury found Abraham Roberts guilty of Murder in the First Degree in the shooting death of Agnes Yarlee which occurred on April 15, 2017 in their apartment in Johnston, Iowa. Roberts, age 39, fired five shots into Ms. Yarlee, including the fatal shot to her head, as she was sitting on a couch in the apartment living room with the couple’s four month old baby positioned at her feet. After shooting Ms. Yarlee, Roberts fled the state and was captured the following day when he tried to cross over into Canada from International Falls, Minnesota. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone and Assistant Polk County Attorney Mike Salvner prosecuted the case on behalf of the State. The defendant will be sentenced on March 5, 2018. The penalty for Murder in the First Degree is Life Without the Possibility of Parole.